Today we have the lovely Savannah, Director of Sales with Kalyan Hospitality! Savannah is giving us the scoop on how she got into the wedding industry and her unique tips for engaged couples who need help choosing their vendors. Keep scrolling to read more!
Tell us how many years have you been in the wedding industry!
Weddings and hotels have always been in the background of my professional life! About 10 years ago, I started out as a catering assistant at a local wedding venue/hotel while I was in college. Over the years I kept finding myself in the events and hotels circles, and through this I gradually made my way up to Director of Sales at two Richmond, VA based hotels (Courtyard Richmond Scott’s Addition & The Berkeley Hotel).
What’s your specific role in the wedding process? Are you hands on with the couples or do you work behind the scenes?
I used to work very closely with couples and their families, but now my role is more centered around the behind the scenes movement. I am booking & managing their wedding blocks, handling details of rehearsal dinners and farewell breakfasts, and making sure those goodie bags get handed out at check in!
When should couples book their services with you? At my hotels, weekends fill up pretty quickly, so the sooner the better when it comes to booking your wedding blocks! Typically it is best to contact me about booking 6-18 months out.
What’s your most frequently asked question by engaged couples?
Attrition! Not only that, but hotel room blocks in general. Most folks have never made a room block before, so they are not familiar with who to speak to, what the process looks like or what kind of commitments fall on them.
What are some trends you’ve seen in weddings recently that you’ve loved?
Farewell breakfasts at the host hotel! We do offer rehearsal dinner bookings and services, but lately farewell breakfasts (hosted on the day of departure) have become all the rage! I love this, because it is a great way for the families & guests to gather, chat about the wedding, their favorite parts, and to say farewell to the couple before traveling home!
Do you have any unique tips for couples when choosing their vendors? If so, share!
Work with vendors or people you connect with! This should be a fun and exciting time for you, so if you lack a connection and mutual understanding of the vision with any potential vendor(s) then they may not be the right ones for you!
Do you have any pets? Introduce them to us!
Yes! I have two cats and a horse that I have had for 19 years.
When it comes to food, what’s your guilty pleasure?
Pizza! Any kind, even frozen pizza has a place in my heart.
How do you de-stress?
Yoga and Ballet. At the end of long work days, you can find me at The Richmond Ballet or a local Yoga studio.
What’s been your favorite ‘first-dance’ song recently?
I Wanna Be Adored by The Stone Roses